POWER RANKINGS

13 WEEK

1. Hamilton (2)

Hard to argue with 9-2, though the Ticats will argue with almost anybody. They’re a feisty, outspoken lot, who seem to think the refs are out to get them. They’d have an argument after the Labour Day win over Toronto, which saw them lose two defensive starters to ejections. But the chips on their shoulders aren’t hindering performance.

2. Saskatchewan (3)

The Riders took down the hobbled Bombers at the Mosaic Madhouse last week and will be harder-pressed to do it again at IG Field in the Banjo Bowl. But they have a potent blend of aggressive, ball-hawking, quarterback-hunting defence and a QB who rarely puts the ball in a bad spot.

3. Winnipeg (1)

Yes, the mighty have finally fallen. The Bombers offence will go one more game without suspended running back Andrew Harris and injured QB Matt Nichols. His replacement Chris Streveler can run a ground game, but his air show needs work. And the defence apparently has to make one more play.

4.

Calgary (6)

QB Bo Levi Mitchell came back with a bang in a win over Edmonton, receiver Reggie Begelton is becoming a force, they found another running back, the defence is growing a backbone and the Stamps are looking far more like the perennial contender they have been for so many years.

5.

Montreal (5)

The Als used the bye week to add Chris Matthews to a receiving corps that has been helping QB Vernon Adams Jr. turn the ship around. He can’t hurt their production.

6. Edmonton (4)

In yet another game without a TD, the Esks lost meekly to Calgary in the Labour Day Classic. You get the feeling the head coach would like nothing better than to scream at the offensive co-ordinator on live TV. But that would be awkward.

7. Ottawa (7)

The Redblacks are on the wrong side of the crossover math and need a home victory over Toronto on Saturday to maintain even a sliver of hope for a post-season berth. They have handed the ball to Jonathon Jennings, who had better do something productive with it this time.

8. Toronto (8)

QB Mcleod Bethel-thompson has spread the ball around to almost everybody but the gutsy kid who GM Jim Popp signed to a one-day contract. It hasn’t been enough to hang with anybody through a full 60 minutes. Running game? What running game? They still don’t have a rushing TD. Or any hope for the playoffs.

9. B.C. (9)

The Lions fired offensive line coach Bryan Chiu during the bye week and that’s a good place to start. The over/ under on dismissals for the rest of the season, which will end without a playoff berth, will obviously fluctuate, depending on wins and losses.